how would you know how your speed compares to others unless you informally raced against one of your buds?

When you very seldom get passed by anyone else at a crowded site, and especially when yer buds whine that they can't catch you even when you didn't know anyone was trying to catch you, you kinda know how your speed compares.

Competing is the number #1 way to improve your sailing. I sailed club one-design racing for some years . I finished last the first year - I had kidded myself I could sail well, until I got whupped by everyone else in the fleet.
I applied myself so I was middle of the pack second year, and in the top of the pack final year. Sometimes I blew the racing off to wave-sail, but the racing improved all my skills.

I sailed the AWT last year and it was an awesome experience - it really motivated me to improve my wave sailing skill set. Would thoroughly recommend it to anyone.

You know, it could be argued that windsurfing grew as a sport and that equipment advanced in spite of racing. Otherwise, everyone would still be sailing the original Windsurfer with Dacron sails and teak booms.

WSing is mighty expensive, frustrating, time-consuming, gear-intensive, career-impacting, long road just to get to a party. Would that facet of it really draw more people into the sport? And would that be a good thing?

I must poke fun at Isobars. When I started racing, none of my buds could generally pass me. I finished last, when I finished. Racing involves much more than top speed--it rewards those who are near top speed more of the time, who make quick transitions, and are smart enough to sail the shortest course. It is humbling, on a daily basis, when you sail with 5 or 6 guys who have been winning the nationals nearly every year. It is only for those who are humble enough to know they have limitations and want to improve. It is definitely not for Iso.

I disagree with Iso. (shocker!) Windsurfing isn't expensive, new windsurfing gear is expensive. Windsurfing is one of the least expensive sports I've indulged in, once you've got your gear. SKIING is expensive. Skydiving is expensive. Sea-Doos are what, $10,000. now? Golfing can be expensive, if you go to the nicer courses. The only expense to go windsurfing is whatever gas it takes and maybe some parking.

Sure, if you're a mental case about gear, like I am, you can spend a lot of money, but you don't have to. You could get everything you need used for probably $1,000., and it would last 5 years or more. That's cheap fun!

IMHO, it's the difficulty of learning that keeps windsurfing from being more popular. If we had the device from the movie "Brainstorm" that would let someone truly experience what it feels like to windsurf on a good day, there'd be no shortage of windsurfers._________________Spennie the Wind Junkie
www.WindJunkie.net

You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot vote in polls in this forumYou can attach files in this forumYou can download files in this forum